Introduction

A collaborative effort between DGI Consult and UNICEF is addressing critical gaps in Nigeria's primary healthcare system. The program targets health managers and frontline workers across Adamawa, Kwara, and Sokoto States, aiming to improve service delivery and health outcomes for mothers and children through strengthened leadership and management capacities.

What Happened

Under the Enhancing Leadership, Governance and Management Capacities (ELGMC) project, a series of workshops were held across selected local government areas in Adamawa, Kwara, and Sokoto States. The sessions brought together health administrators, facility in-charges, and frontline staff to address identified gaps in service delivery. Training modules emphasized practical leadership, problem-solving, and the effective implementation of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) as well as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programmes. Participants used facility assessment data to pinpoint weaknesses and co-create strategies for better service organisation, resource allocation, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making.

Why This Matters

Effective leadership and management are critical drivers of health system performance, particularly in states facing persistent gaps in maternal and child health indicators. By equipping frontline teams with tools to identify root causes, prioritize actions, and track progress, the programme supports more equitable and resilient health services. The approach aligns with national efforts to reduce preventable deaths among women and children and strengthens the capacity of local health systems to deliver consistent, quality care.

Key Takeaways

  • Participants developed individual action plans with defined responsibilities, expected outcomes, and timelines to address immediate service delivery challenges.
  • The whole–part–rest problem-solving framework was introduced, guiding teams to examine issues comprehensively, focus on controllable factors, and engage relevant partners for additional support.
  • At Primary Health Centre Yallabe in Sokoto State, collaboration with the nutrition focal point and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency led to the facility being designated as a distribution point for ready-to-use therapeutic food, resulting in increased patient attendance.
  • Facilitators stressed that the training should be viewed as part of an ongoing improvement cycle, encouraging participants to routinely review progress, identify emerging obstacles, and take corrective action to ensure priorities yield tangible results.
  • State officials in Kwara and Sokoto expressed confidence that the strengthened capacity of health workers will lead to sustained improvements in service quality and health outcomes across their respective jurisdictions.

Conclusion

The DGI Consult–UNICEF partnership represents a meaningful investment in the people who deliver health services at the grassroots level. By building local capacity in leadership, management, and problem-solving, the initiative lays the foundation for more effective, responsive, and equitable primary healthcare in Adamawa, Kwara, and Sokoto. Sustained commitment, regular performance reviews, and expanded partnerships will be essential to extending these benefits to more communities across Nigeria.